NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release Office of the Premier 2011PREM0018-000255 March 14, 2011

Premier announces cabinet

VICTORIA – Premier Christy Clark today announced a new, smaller cabinet focused on putting families first, creating jobs and changing the way British Columbians engage with their government.

“Our new cabinet will reflect the priorities of British Columbians and put families at the centre of all our decision-making,” said Premier Clark. “Together, we will focus on creating jobs and building a strong economy because that is the single most important thing we can do to support families and ensure we can invest in critical services like health and education. This is a team that will work hard to ensure that prosperity and opportunity extend to every region of our province.”

The new cabinet is made up of 17 ministers plus the premier, reduced from the previous total of 24. This includes the new Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, which will bring together many of the functions in government focused on job creation under a single ministry. As well, three new cabinet committees reflect the priorities of government – the Committee on Families First; the Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth; and the Committee on Open Government and Engagement.

Responsibility for colleges and universities has been recombined under the Ministry of Advanced Education; responsibility for mining has been returned to the Ministry of Energy and Mines; Labour and Citizen Services have been combined; and Forests and Lands has been combined with Natural Resource Operations.

The new cabinet appointed and sworn into office by the Lieutenant-Governor in a ceremony today is: Premier – Hon. Christy Clark Deputy Premier and Minister of Finance – Hon. Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation – Hon. Minister of Advanced Education – Hon. Minister of Agriculture – Hon. Don McRae Attorney General – Hon. Minister of Children and Family Development – Hon. Mary McNeil Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development – Hon. Minister of Education – Hon. George Abbott Minister of Energy and Mines (minister responsible for Housing) – Hon. Minister of Environment – Hon. Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations – Hon. Steve Thomson Minister of Health – Hon. Michael de Jong Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation – Hon. Minister of Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open Government – Hon. Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General – Hon. Minister of Social Development (minister responsible for multiculturalism) – Hon. Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure – Hon.

Additionally, 10 MLAs have been named as parliamentary secretaries, and will work with ministers to focus on key initiatives of government.

Rich Coleman will serve as the Government House Leader and Terry Lake will be the deputy Government House Leader. will be the Government whip.

“We want British Columbians to have the opportunity to be more engaged with government decision- making,” said Premier Clark. “We will work with citizens to find solutions to problems, set priorities openly and explain why we make the decisions we do. is starting from a position of strength. It is up to us to build on this strength for the betterment of families across our province.”

Contact: Shane Mills Director of Communications Office of the Premier 250 661-1015

Six Backgrounders are attached BACKGROUNDER Members of the Executive Council

Premier – Hon. Christy Clark Finance and Deputy Premier – Hon. Kevin Falcon Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation – Hon. Mary Polak Advanced Education – Hon. Naomi Yamamoto Agriculture – Hon. Don McRae Attorney General – Hon. Barry Penner Children and Family Development – Hon. Mary McNeil Community, Sport and Cultural Development – Hon. Ida Chong Education – Hon. George Abbott Energy and Mines (Minister Responsible for Housing) – Hon. Rich Coleman Environment – Hon. Terry Lake Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations – Hon. Steve Thomson Health – Hon. Michael de Jong Jobs, Tourism and Innovation – Hon. Pat Bell Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open Government – Hon. Stephanie Cadieux Public Safety and Solicitor General – Hon. Shirley Bond Social Development (Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism) – Hon. Harry Bloy Transportation and Infrastructure – Hon. Blair Lekstrom

The following members of the legislative assembly are appointed as parliamentary secretaries: Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier – Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Gas to the Minister of Energy and Mines – Parliamentary Secretary for Clean Technology to the Minister of Energy and Mines – Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resource Operations Review to the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations – Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors to the Minister of Health – Margaret MacDiarmid Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Economic Development to the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation – Parliamentary Secretary for Industry, Research and Innovation to the Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation – Parliamentary Secretary for Non-profit Partnerships to the Minister of Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open Government – Gordon Hogg Parliamentary Secretary for Multiculturalism to the Minister of Social Development – Richard Lee Parliamentary Secretary for Public Transportation to the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure –

Contact: Shane Mills Director of Communications Office of the Premier 250 661-1015

BACKGROUNDER Cabinet Committees

Priorities and Planning Committee Premier Christy Clark (Chair) Rich Coleman (Vice Chair) George Abbott Pat Bell Stephanie Cadieux Michael de Jong Kevin Falcon John Les Ben Stewart

Treasury Board Kevin Falcon (Chair) Shirley Bond (Vice-Chair) Harry Bloy Ida Chong Randy Hawes Terry Lake John Les Mary McNeil Barry Penner

Cabinet Committee on Families First Mary McNeil (Chair) Margaret MacDiarmid (Vice Chair) George Abbott Harry Bloy Michael de Jong Dave Hayer Gordon Hogg Joan McIntyre Jane Thornthwaite Naomi Yamamoto

Cabinet Committee on Jobs and Economic Growth Pat Bell (Chair) Moira Stilwell (Vice Chair) Donna Barnett Iain Black Shirley Bond Rich Coleman Blair Lekstrom Mary Polak Steve Thomson

Environment and Land Use Committee Steve Thomson (Chair) Terry Lake (Vice Chair) Rich Coleman Randy Hawes Don McRae Pat Pimm Mary Polak

Cabinet Committee on Open Government and Engagement Stephanie Cadieux (Chair) Blair Lekstrom (Vice Chair) Ida Chong Gordon Hogg Richard Lee Don McRae John Slater Naomi Yamamoto

Legislative Review Committee Barry Penner (Chair) Rich Coleman (Vice Chair) Ida Chong Michael de Jong Douglas Horne Blair Lekstrom Ben Stewart Ralph Sultan

Contact: Shane Mills Director of Communications Office of the Premier 250 661-1015

BACKGROUNDER Summary of ministry responsibilities

OFFICE OF THE PREMIER General Responsibilities Cabinet operations Corporate planning Strategic policy and legislative priorities Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat Board Resourcing and Development Office

MINISTRY OF ABORIGINAL RELATIONS AND RECONCILIATION General Responsibilities Aboriginal policy and coordination Negotiation and implementation of treaty and non-treaty agreements Consultation and accommodation policy Crown/First Nations relationships Partnerships and Community Renewal First Citizens’ Fund

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions BC Treaty Commission First Peoples’ Heritage, Language and Culture Council Native Economic Development Advisory Board

MINISTRY OF ADVANCED EDUCATION General Responsibilities Universities Colleges Post-secondary financing Post-secondary policy and accountability Student financial assistance

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions University Boards of Governors Colleges and institutes Private Career Training Institutions Agency BC College and Institute Boards British Columbia Council on Admissions and Transfers Degree Quality Assessment Board

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE General Responsibilities Agriculture, aquaculture and food industry development Animal health and crop/plant protection Food safety and quality Commercial fisheries and fish processing Marine fisheries and seafood industry development Crop insurance Grazing and range stewardship policy

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions Agricultural Land Commission BC Farm Industry Review Board BC Wine Institute

MINISTRY OF ATTORNEY GENERAL General Responsibilities Criminal justice and family law Administrative law policy Court administration Legal aid and public legal education Alternate dispute resolution Family maintenance Legal services to government

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions Legal Services Society BC Utilities Commission BC Human Rights Tribunal BC Law Institute BC Review Board Environmental Appeal Board Forest Appeals Commission Oil and Gas Appeal Tribunal

MINISTRY OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT General Responsibilities Adoption and reunion services Child protection and family development Foster care Child care Children and youth with special needs Child and youth mental health Youth justice programs

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions BC College of Social Workers Provincial Child Care Council

MINISTRY OF COMMUNITY, SPORT AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT General Responsibilities Community Charter Local government Urban Development Agreement University Endowment Lands Property assessment Sports and recreation Film policy and classification Arts and culture programs Community gaming grant eligibility

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions Board of Examiners BC Assessment Authority BC Games Society BC Arts Council Property Assessment Appeal Board Islands Trust Fund Board Provincial Capital Commission Royal BC Museum Corporation

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION General Responsibilities K-12 standards and accountability K-12 funding Independent schools Community schools Action Schools! BC programs Early childhood development Literacy Libraries Early Learning Agency StrongStart BC Centres

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions Education Advisory Council BC College of Teachers Learning Roundtable

MINISTRY OF ENERGY AND MINES (Minister Responsible for Housing) General Responsibilities Electricity and alternative energy policy Oil and gas policy Offshore oil and gas policy Energy efficiency Renewable energy development Innovative Clean Energy Fund Mines and minerals policy Permitting and inspections of major mining projects Geological Survey Service Housing and homeless policy Transition houses Building policy Safety standards and inspections Landlord-tenant dispute resolution

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions BC Hydro and Power Authority Columbia Power Corporation Oil and Gas Commission BC Housing Management Commission Building Code Appeal Board Homeowner Protection Office Building Policy Advisory Committee Safety Standards Appeal Board Safety Authority of BC Provincial Rental Housing Corporation

MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT General Responsibilities Parks, wilderness and protected areas Air, land and water quality standards Pollution prevention and waste management Conservation Framework and Species-at-Risk policy Species and ecosystem protection policy Oceans protection and sustainability Water protection and water sustainability policy Water and air monitoring and reporting Conservation and resource management enforcement Climate Action Secretariat Environmental Assessment Office State of Environment reporting Environmental monitoring Flood Management Environmental Emergency Response

MINISTRY OF FINANCE General Responsibilities Treasury Board Office of the Comptroller General Provincial treasury Economic and financial analysis Financial institutions regulation Fiscal planning and tax policy Tax collection including property, income and consumer Forestry, mines, oil and gas revenue Collection and loan management Homeowner Grants Capital Planning Secretariat Crown Agencies Resourcing Office BC Public Service Agency BC Olympic Games Secretariat International Financial Centre Smart regulation Regulatory reform Economic and sector analysis Renaissance Capital fund BC Venture Capital program Investment Capital Planning and Partnership Development

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions BC Securities Commission Partnerships BC Insurance Council of BC Real Estate Council of BC Mineral Tax Review Board Pacific Carbon Trust BC Immigrant Investment Fund

MINISTRY OF FORESTS, LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCE OPERATIONS General Responsibilities Forest stewardship policy Timber supply, inventory and tree improvement Pest and disease management policy Forest investment BC Timber Sales Tenures and pricing Resource roads and bridges policy Crown land administration policy Crown land allocation and authorizations Forests and range authorizations Roads/bridges/engineering Independent power production Mineral and coal titles Mines and minerals permitting and inspections except for major mining projects Aquaculture licensing and regulation Water use planning and authorizations Aboriginal consultation and coordination – natural resource operations Resorts and alpine ski developments Licensing and permitting for angling, hunting and trapping GeoBC and information management FrontCounter BC Provincial hatchery and stocking program Watershed restoration Fish, wildlife and habitat management Drought management Dam and dyke safety and regulation Flood plain management Pests, disease, invasive plants and species Public backcountry and commercial recreation Recreation sites and trails Archaeology and Heritage Conservation policy and permitting Resource management compliance Crown land restoration Forest investment operations Wildfire management

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions Forest Practices Board Timber Export Advisory Committee Muskwa-Kechika Advisory Board Mediation and Arbitration Board Assayers Certification Board of Examiners

MINISTRY OF HEALTH General Responsibilities Leadership and support for the health service delivery system Health promotion and protection Aboriginal health promotion Public health planning Provincial Health Officer Performance management of the health authorities Health human resource planning Health regulation and licensing Health information systems and e-health Women and seniors End of life and palliative care Community and home support services Assisted living and residential care Community care licensing Mental health and addictions services Communicable diseases prevention and addictions services promotion Healthy living/chronic disease prevention Medical Services Plan ActNow BC HealthLinkBC BC Bedline PharmaCare Vital Statistics BC Ambulance Service

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions Health Authorities Medical Services Commission BC Patient Safety & Quality Council Patient Care Quality Review Boards Hospital Appeal Board Community Care and Assisted Living Appeal Board

MINISTRY OF JOBS, TOURISM AND INNOVATION General Responsibilities Tourism strategy Aboriginal tourism Recreational fish and wildlife promotion B.C. brand designations International and internal trade policy Export market development Trade, Investment, and Labour Mobility Agreement Research, innovation and technology Year of Science Small Business Roundtable Canada-BC Business Service Centre Immigration policy Labour market policy Provincial Nominee Program WorkBC BladeRunners Industry training Community adjustment Community Development Trust Community Business Loans Program Land use planning Regional economic and rural development Economic development policy Mountain pine beetle Columbia Basin Trust Rural BC Secretariat Asia Pacific Trade and Investment International Marketing Secretariat Trade initiatives Pacific Coast Collaborative

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions Pavilion Corporation of BC Forestry Innovation Investment Ltd. Leading Edge Endowment Fund Board BC Innovation Council Premier’s Technology Council Northern Development Initiative Trust North Island Coast Development Initiative Trust Southern Interior Development Initiative Trust Nechako-Kitimaat Development Fund Society BC-Alcan Northern Development Fund Industry Training Authority

MINISTRY OF LABOUR, CITIZENS’ SERVICES AND OPEN GOVERNMENT General Responsibilities Citizen service delivery Government agents BC Stats BCOnLine Enquiry BC Online Channel Office Business and personal property registries services Citizen engagement Queen’s Printer Chief Information Officer Information and privacy policy Workforce planning Employee engagement Public Affairs Bureau Volunteer and non-profit support Shared Services BC Accommodation and Real Estate Services Workplace Technology Services Alternative Service Delivery Procurement and Supply Services Corporate Accounting Services Telecommunications infrastructure Solutions BC Labour relations Employment standards Occupational health and safety Workers Compensation Act

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions Knowledge Network Corporation BC Labour Relations Board Workers’ Compensation Appeal Tribunal Employment Standards Tribunal

MINISTRY OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOLICITOR GENERAL General Responsibilities Police and correctional services Provincial emergency management Emergency social services Crime prevention programs Criminal record check and protection order registry Victim assistance Consumer services Superintendent of Motor Vehicles Office of the Fire Commissioner Liquor control and licensing Liquor Distribution Branch Gaming policy and enforcement Responsible Gambling Strategy Coroners Service of BC Public Sector Employers’ Council Secretariat

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions Insurance Corporation of British Columbia Police boards BC Lottery Corporation BC Pension Corporation

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism) General Responsibilities Income assistance Disability assistance Delivery of employment programs Provincial Disability Strategy Adult community living services Mental health and addictions services coordination Multiculturalism

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions Community Living BC Employment and Assistance Appeal Tribunal Multicultural Advisory Council

MINISTRY OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE General Responsibilities Transportation planning and policy Highway construction and maintenance Commercial vehicle safety and inspections Port and airport development Infrastructure grants Major capital project management

Major Agencies, Boards and Commissions BC Rail Passenger Transportation Board BC Transit BC Transportation Financing Authority Rapid Transit 2000 Project

Contact: Shane Mills Director of Communications Office of the Premier 250 661-1015

BACKGROUNDER Deputy minister list

Office of the Premier John Dyble, Deputy Minister to the Premier, Cabinet Secretary and Head of the Public Service Pierrette Maranda, Associate Deputy Minister, Intergovernmental Relations

Ministry of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Steve Munro, Deputy Minister

Ministry of Advanced Education Philip Steenkamp, Deputy Minister

Ministry of Agriculture Wes Shoemaker, Deputy Minister

Ministry of Attorney General David Loukidelis, Deputy Attorney General

Ministry of Children and Family Development Stephen Brown, Deputy Minister

Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Don Fast, Deputy Minister

Ministry of Education James Gorman, Deputy Minister

Ministry of Energy and Mines Steve Carr, Deputy Minister

Ministry of Environment Cairine MacDonald, Deputy Minister

Ministry of Finance Peter Milburn, Deputy Minister Lynda Tarras, Head, BC Public Service Agency

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Doug Konkin, Deputy Minister

Ministry of Health Graham Whitmarsh, Deputy Minister

Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Dana Hayden, Deputy Minister

Ministry of Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open Government Kim Henderson, Deputy Minister, Citizens’ Services and Open Government Rob Lapper, Deputy Minister, Labour Neil Sweeney, Deputy Minister, Public Affairs Bureau

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General Lori Wanamaker, Deputy Minister Paul Straszak, President and CEO, Public Sector Employers’ Council

Ministry of Social Development Mark Sieben, Deputy Minister

Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure Grant Main, Deputy Minister

Contact: Shane Mills Director of Communications Office of the Premier 250 661-1015

BACKGROUNDER Office of the Premier staff (Victoria)

Mike McDonald, Chief of Staff

Dimitri Pantazopoulos, Principal Secretary (Effective April 4)

Kim Haakstad, Deputy Chief of Staff, Operations

Chris Olsen, Press Secretary

Shane Mills, Director of Communications

Doug Brown, Manager, Communications & Issues Management

Trevor Halford, Senior Communications Coordinator

Rebecca Scott, Communications Officer and Deputy Press Secretary

Stacie Dley, Communications Coordinator

Jessica Hodge, Executive Assistant to the Premier

Jennifer Chalmers, Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff

Antoinette De Wit, Managing Director, Correspondence

Judy McCallum, Executive Scheduling Co-ordinator

Contact: Shane Mills Director of Communications Office of the Premier 250 661-1015

BACKGROUNDER Premier and Minister Biographies PREMIER CHRISTY CLARK

Christy Clark was sworn in as British Columbia’s 35th Premier on March 14, 2011.

She previously served as the MLA for Port Moody- Mountain (1996-2001) and Port Moody-Westwood (2001-2005). She has served as Deputy Premier, Minister of Education, Minister of Children and Family Development and vice-chair of Treasury Board. During her first term, she sat on the Select Standing Committee on Environment and Tourism and on the Official Opposition Caucus Committee for Children.

She took a break from government in 2005 to spend more time with her family. She worked in the media during her time from government, including as a columnist and commentator and host of the “Christy Clark Show” on CKNW.

Premier Clark brought the anti-bullying “Pink Shirt Campaign” to British Columbia to raise awareness of issues related to bullying in our schools, workplace and communities.

She has received several awards including the YWCA Woman of Distinction Award and the 2009 Woman of the Year in BC by the Consumer Choice Awards.

She attended (SFU), the Sorbonne (France) and the University of Edinburgh (Scotland, UK), studying Political Science and Religious Studies. She was born and raised in Burnaby and graduated from Burnaby Senior Secondary.

HON. GEORGE ABBOTT MINISTER OF EDUCATION

George Abbott was appointed Minister of Education on March 14, 2011. First elected as MLA in 1996 to represent the riding of Shuswap, George was re-elected for a fourth time in 2009.

George has previously served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Minister of Health, Minister of Community, Aboriginal and Women’s Services and Minister of Sustainable Resource Management.

Before his election to the Legislative Assembly, George was a political science instructor at Okanagan University College.

HON. PAT BELL MINISTER OF JOBS, TOURISM AND INNOVATION

Pat Bell was appointed Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation on March 14, 2011. He was re- elected for a third term as MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie in 2009.

Pat has previously served as Minister of Forests, Mines and Lands, Minister of Forests and Range, Minister of Agriculture and Lands and as Minister of State for Mining.

He has served on the Government Caucus Committee on Natural Resources and B.C. Task Force on Mining, and as chair of the Small Scale Salvage Review Committee. Pat has also served on the Legislative Select Standing Committees on Education and Crown Corporations.

Prior to becoming an MLA, Pat owned a trucking company and co-owned a logging company.

HON. SHIRLEY BOND MINISTER OF PUBLIC SAFETY AND SOLICITOR GENERAL

Shirley Bond was appointed Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General on March 14, 2011. She was re-elected for a third term as MLA for Prince George-Valemount in 2009.

Shirley has previously served as Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Minister of Education and Minister responsible for Early Learning and Literacy and Deputy Premier, Minister of Advanced Education and Minister of Health Services. She also served as Vice-Chair of the Treasury Board, chaired the Cabinet Committee on New Relationship Coordination, and sat as a member of the Cabinet climate Action Committee.

Before being elected to the Legislative Assembly, she served three terms on the Prince George School Board.

HON. HARRY BLOY MINISTER OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR MULTICULTURALISM

Harry Bloy was appointed Minister of Social Development and Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism on March 14, 2011. He was first elected in the riding of Burquitlam in 2001. He was re-elected for a third time in 2009 in the new riding of Burnaby-Lougheed.

Harry served on the Government Caucus Committee for Natural Resources and Economy and various other committees including Finance and Government Services, Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills, Legislative Initiatives, Crown Corporations, Public Accounts, Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. In addition, he also served as Deputy Chair of Committee of the Whole.

Prior to being an MLA, Harry was the President of a local telecommunications company.

HON. STEPHANIE CADIEUX MINISTER OF LABOUR, CITIZENS’ SERVICES AND OPEN GOVERNMENT

Stephanie Cadieux was appointed Minister of Labour, Citizens’ Services and Open Government on March 14, 2011. Stephanie was elected MLA for Surrey-Panorama in the 2009 general provincial election.

Stephanie previously served as Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. She also was chair of the Special Committee to Appoint an Information and Privacy Commissioner, and was a member of the Select Standing Committees on Health and on Children and Youth and the Special Committee to Review the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Living with a spinal cord injury since a car accident at the age of 18, she became a strong community advocate for programs to assist people with physical disabilities to achieve their goals and regain independence. In 2007, Stephanie worked with 2010 Legacies Now to develop an Accessible Tourism Plan for BC.

Stephanie worked with the BC Paraplegic Association for eight years, most recently as director of marketing and development.

HON. IDA CHONG MINISTER OF COMMUNITY, SPORT AND CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT

Ida Chong was appointed Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development on March 14, 2011. She was re-elected for a fourth term as MLA for Oak Bay–Gordon Head in the 2009 election.

Ida’s previous cabinet portfolios include Minister of Science and Universities, Minister of Regional Economic and Skills Development, Minister of Healthy Living Sport, Minister of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development, Minister Responsible for the Asia-Pacific Initiative, Minister of Community Services, Minister of Advanced Education and Minister of State for Women’s and Seniors’ Services. In addition to her role as Minister, she also served on the Cabinet Committee for Climate Action and Treasury Board.

Ida has been involved in her community for years – volunteering for a number of not-for-profit groups and serving as municipal councillor for the District of Saanich, from 1993-1996.

HON. RICH COLEMAN MINISTER OF ENERGY AND MINES AND MINISTER RESPONSIBLE FOR HOUSING

Rich Coleman was appointed Minister of Energy and Mines and Minister Responsible for Housing on March 14, 2011. He was re-elected for a fourth term as MLA for Fort Langley- Aldergrove in the 2009 general election.

Rich’s previous cabinet positions include Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Minister Responsible for Housing, Minister of Housing and Social Development and Minister of Forests and Range.

Before entering public life, Rich was governor of the BC Kinsmen, president of the Aldergrove Chamber of Commerce, and a director of several volunteer boards.

HON. MICHAEL de JONG MINISTER OF HEALTH

Michael de Jong was named Minister of Health on March 14, 2011. He was re-elected in 2009 as the MLA for the newly named constituency of Abbotsford West, an area he has represented since first being elected to the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia in a 1994 by-election.

The five-term MLA previously served as Attorney General, Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, Minister of Labour and Citizens’ Services, and Minister of Forests. In addition he also served as Government House Leader.

Before his election as a Member of the Legislative Assembly in 1994, Mike served two terms as an elected School Trustee for Abbotsford School District 34, and was a practicing lawyer with his own Abbotsford firm. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton University in Ottawa and a law degree from the University of Alberta.

HON. KEVIN FALCON MINISTER OF FINANCE AND DEPUTY PREMIER

Kevin Falcon was appointed Minister of Finance and Deputy Premier on March 14, 2011. He was first elected in 2001 to represent the riding of Surrey-Cloverdale, and was re-elected in 2005 and 2009.

Kevin previously served as Minister of Health Services, Minister of Transportation and Minister of State for De-regulation.

Before being elected to the Legislative Assembly in 2001, Kevin was president of Access Group, a corporate communications firm he founded in 1998. He has also worked in the real estate development industry and was vice-president of Northwest Investment Properties.

HON. TERRY LAKE MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT

Dr. Terry Lake was appointed Minister of Environment on March 14, 2011. He was first elected in 2009 as MLA for the riding of -North Thompson.

Terry served as the Parliamentary Secretary for Health Promotion to the Minister of Health Services. Previous to that Terry served as Parliamentary Secretary for the Ranching Task Force to the Minister of Agriculture and Lands. He also sat as a member of the Selecting Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, on Health, and on Legislative Initiatives and was a member of the Early Childhood Education Innovations Committee.

A veterinarian by profession, Terry served as the Mayor of the City of Kamloops from 2005- 2008 and as a city councillor from 2002-2005.

HON. BLAIR LEKSTROM MINISTER OF TRANSPORTATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Blair Lekstrom was appointed Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure on March 14, 2011. Blair was first elected in the riding of in 2001. He was re-elected for a third time in 2009.

Blair has previously served as Minister of Energy, Mines and Petroleum Resources and Minister of Community Development.

Previously, Blair chaired the Legislative Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services (2001, 2002, 2005 and 2006) and served on the Select Standing Committee on Public Accounts, the Agriculture Policy Development Committee, the Legislative Review Committee and the Government Caucus Committee on the Economy.

Before becoming an MLA, Blair served as Mayor of the City of . He was first elected mayor in 1996, after serving for three years as a councillor.

HON. DON McRAE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

Don McRae was appointed Minister of Agriculture on March 14, 2011. He was first elected in 2009 as MLA for the riding of .

Don served as Convener of the Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs and was a member of the Select Standing Committee on Health and Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services.

Don was born and raised in the Comox Valley. For 14 years he taught at GP Vanier Secondary School in Courtenay. Don also served as a Courtenay City Councillor from 2002-2009.

HON. MARY McNEIL MINISTER OF CHILDREN AND FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Mary McNeil was appointed Minister of Children and Family Development on March 14, 2011. She was first elected as MLA for Vancouver-False Creek in the 2009 election.

Mary previously served as Minister for Citizen Services, Minister of State for the Olympics and ActNow BC.

Before becoming an MLA, she served as president and CEO of the BC Cancer Foundation for eight years. Mary also served on the Vancouver Police Board for four years.

HON. BARRY PENNER Q.C. ATTORNEY GENERAL

Barry Penner, Q.C. was appointed Attorney General on December 1, 2010. He was re-elected for a fourth term as MLA in the riding of -Hope in 2009.

Barry previously served as Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation, and Minister of Environment.

Barry has also chaired the Legislative Standing Committee on Parliamentary Reform, Ethical Conduct, Standing Orders and Private Bills, and served as a member of the Legislative Select Standing Committee on Aboriginal Affairs, and the Cabinet Committee for Legislative Review.

HON. MARY POLAK MINISTER OF ABORIGINAL RELATIONS AND RECONCILIATION

Mary Polak was appointed Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation on March 14, 2011. She was re-elected to the B.C. Legislature in 2009, having represented the constituents of Langley since 2005.

Prior to her new Cabinet post, Mary served as the Minister of Children and Family Development and Minister Responsible for Child Care, Minister of Healthy Living and Sport and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health for the Conversation on Health.

Mary previously sat on the Cabinet Committee on New Relationship Coordination and the Government Caucus Committee on Social Development as well as on the Government Caucus Committee for Natural Resources and the Economy, the Select Standing Committees for Children and Youth, Education and Public Accounts, the Cabinet Committee on Agenda Development and the Special Committee to Review the Personal Information Protection Act.

Before being elected to the Legislative Assembly, Mary served as a trustee and former chair of the Surrey School Board.

HON. STEVE THOMSON MINISTER OF FORESTS, LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCE OPERATIONS

Steve Thomson was appointed Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations on March 14, 2011. He was elected to represent the riding of -Mission in 2009.

Steve previously served as Minister of Natural Resource Operations and Minister of Energy, and Minister of Agriculture and Lands.

Steve is the former executive director of the BC Agriculture Council and has developed his career and experience working on behalf of British Columbia farmers and ranchers. He has served as General Manager of the BC Fruit Growers Association and the BC Milk Producers Association.

He has also served as a director of the Kelowna Museum, the Okanagan Innovation Fund and the BC BioEnergy Network.

HON. NAOMI YAMAMOTO MINISTER OF ADVANCED EDUCATION

Naomi Yamamoto was appointed Minister of Advanced Education on March 14, 2011. She was elected as MLA for -Lonsdale in 2009.

Naomi previously served as Minister of State for Building Code Renewal and Minister of State for Intergovernmental Relations.

Naomi was the president and owner of Tora Design Group in North Vancouver for 21 years. She also enjoyed working with the business community as the president and general manager of the North Vancouver Chamber of Commerce.

She served on the board of the North Shore Credit Union and the Vancouver Coastal Health Authority and was president of the Gordon and Marion Smith Foundation.

Contact: Shane Mills Director of Communications Office of the Premier 250 661-1015

Connect with of B.C. at www.gov.bc.ca/connect.